WXV Round 4: The Losing Score feat Rio & Pacific

[Purple 77]

Faaarrrk. Thursday AND Monday games.

Following the same theme that I normally do for Easter Weekends...

TWO PARTIAL LOCKOUTS

(1) Thursday night at 8:10pm AEDT: West Coast v Sydney.

This means that all West Coast and Sydney players you choose (or don't choose) to be in your team, will be 'locked in', meaning you cannot drop (or select initially un-chosen) players as soon as the first bounce occurs.

(2) Friday at 4:20pm AEDT: North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

This means that all North and Doggies players you choose (or don't choose) to be in your team, will be 'locked in', meaning you cannot drop (or select initially un-chosen) players as soon as the first bounce occurs.

The rest of the round will be locked out at the commencement of Melbourne v Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

Round 4, AFL Round 4, Easter Weekend

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
Berlin Brewers	Moscow Spetsnaz	Berlin Olympic Stadium, EurAsia, Europe	2  v  4
Cairo Sands	Rio de Janeiro Jaguars	Borg El Arab Stadium, AAP Alliance	0  v  2
Cape Town Cobras	PNL Reindeers	Newlands Cricket Ground	2  v  4
Christchurch Saints	Seoul Magpies	AMI Stadium	1  v  1
Dublin Destroyers	New York Revolution	Crooke Park	3  v  2
New Delhi Tigers	Buenos Aires Armadillos	Wipro Stadium	2  v  4
Pacific Islanders	Beijing Thunder	Linkbelt Oval	5  v  0
Tokyo Samurai	Mexico City Suns	Tokyo Olympic Stadium	1  v  4
Toronto Wolves	London Royals	Rogers Centre	3  v  2

Welp. Last week sure did suck. Berlin went down the moment captain Gawn did, and there wasn’t much else the rest of the team could do to cover for him, despite their efforts. At least the Brewers won’t have the persistent captaincy dilemma of Fyfe or Gawn... so there is that. Apart from that major setback, the Brewers seem to be in good shape with Steven & Armitage set to return this week. Moscow would be desperate for a similar situation, given Coniglio, Hogan and Naitanui are all unavailable too. Their absence is certainly being felt; Moscow sit last on the points ladder and 16th currently, having notched up their only win in Round 2. The Spetsnaz just need more players to step up alongside Docherty & Heppell and until that happens, I’ll back my Brewers to get the win.

The Sands have taken a noticeable positive step in their competitiveness this year; perhaps unlucky to lose against Tokyo, then a magnificent win against Pacific and just last week keeping up with Mexico City until Riewoldt entered the arena. Mummy, Beams and Adams are providing great leadership this year and it’s not until you see how good they are in action that you realise how badly they were missed at times last year. The Jaguars join Pacific & Berlin as top 8 points scorers currently 1-2; it’s a tough comp this year. Last week the Jaguars were shown up by the rising Magpies despite hitting 140+ for the third week in a row. Rio would fancy their chances against Cairo this week and would certainly love a 150+ score for the confidence anytime soon. I reckon they’re due, and I will yet again tip against the Sands here.

The Cobras have been a proverbial yo-yo so far this year. After a ripping win against Beijing in Round 1, they put in a stinker against the struggling Moscow. But last week the Cobras rebounded solidly, it was just a shame Dublin set a new 2017 high score at the same time. Nothing much you can do there, except thank their lucky Kents that it’s over. The Reindeers continued driving the rocky roads of struggle street last week; a score of 120 not enough to notch up the win against Tokyo. It was the  bottom 3 players that were again the culprit at PNL who are crying out for one of Kennedy, Miles or Sheridan to step up and contribute. Pridda, Zerrett, Shiel and Hodge can only do so much but even they would need to combine for maybe 440+ for the Reindeers to challenge the top teams. An interesting game this one though and I give the Reindeers a sneaky chance. But just a sneaky one, as I’ll back the Cobras in this one.

The Saints will you tell you otherwise by listing all of their injured players, but frankly I'd wager they have the most wins from the scoring range of 120-135 than any other team since their induction in 2015. The Saints relied on their HGA to prevail over the Brewers last week whom had their captain go down early through injury... but you know, I'm like, over it, you know? Christchurch sit 7th and 2-1 despite being the 13th highest scoring team so far this year. But defence wins games too, by conceding just the 5th fewest points as well. They'll need their #LuckOfTheChristhchurch to keep Seoul to a low total though whom are coming off consecutive 140+ scores, largely on the back of OlivField (I'm stealing that thanks meow). Captain Danger has produced a 139 average so far and boy, that is just a major advantage over the whole competition and one that currently reflects its ladder position of 2nd place. The midfield is clicking over at Seoul; beware to those whom come up against it. I'm not tipping against Seoul anytime soon.

I’m already sick of writing about how good Dublin are... I would have done it at least 34 times over the last 2 years. Anyway, they’re back at the number 1 spot on the real and points ladder, so I guess The Leader is good. The Leader is great. We surrender our will, as of this date. I will admit that I may have simply forgot about Dublin when I said Beijing & Pacific had the best midfields in the comp (more on that later), and it was clear that Dublin was listening. I retract that statement. The Revolution managed to scrape another win last week, despite... those disadvantages. They haven’t set the world on fire yet, but they haven’t had a clear run at it either and when guys like Lewis, Tippett and Heeney return, you might see me tip New York here. But, with an OOP ruck, and no HGA, and those reasons alone, I will have to back The Leader.

Yeah. Look, I liked it when I wasn’t intimidated by New Delhi, back in the day. They unsettle me now, given they just cracked back-to-back 160+ scores. Taking down Rio & Pacific in the process are great scalps and their draw opens up a little from now on, but they’ll have to handle the tag of favourites; something they probably haven’t experienced much until now. Buenos Aires will need to call on its 3 centurions this year (I’ll stop bringing it up when I lose count Vinzander :P) and then some to even compete with a bad Tiger day at this rate. The Dillos might not get a good chance at a win until Round 7, with the Tigers, Rio and Dublin marking an intimidating upcoming trio. If you win any of these games, I’ll exempt you from any negative previews, reviews or general comments for the rest of the year. So with my caps lock still set to SAVAGE, I’ll be tipping the Tigers here.

They probably had the most memorable match of 2017 last year, and I’m tipping another blinder so I’m making it my MATCH OF THE ROUND! The best mids on the comp*? The Islanders have real cause to kick up a stink here... I know I would - and did - because I similarly was often a high scoring loser in 2016. I think it was... 4 times? Yeah, 4 times last year I scored 140+ and lost. So, 2 more times to go guys! You’ve so far kept your composure, which really, is the difference between you guys and me. The Thunder would be really kicking themselves for letting a golden opportunity to beat a highly ranked opponent go with Harry Taylor, whom I’ve been told will find it hard to enter the country for at least the next little bit. Last year, this game decided which of the two would make the finals and, given both are 1-2, it could well be another 8 point game on the cards. But alas, there is no Josh Jenkins for the Thunder to score 171+18 rest points and I think I’ll back the more consistent Islanders in this one. Come on Toges though, Jayden Hunt is right there.

The Samurai have started the season fairly well; sitting 2-1 at 5th spot despite being 12th on the points ladder. *mutters* “I guess Cameron, Stretch, Atkins & Ruggles can’t always score 400+ each week” *endmutter*. If I was to make one suggestion/observation, is that Luke Parker hasn’t pulled the trigger yet this year. Given that Mexico City scored 178 against Tokyo the last time they played, why not go all out and stick the C on him? By all means do what you like Boomz, but I’ve written it down now, it’s on record.  The Suns recovered from their Round 2 aberration against Beijing to come out swinging with 6 centurions; none more impressive than the magnificent Nick Riewoldt. Normally that spells mammoth score, but you see, there is this guy you keep naming at F4 called Ty which is really holding you back. Free advice has never been so helpful.  Anyway, the Suns for me, they just look too good.

The Wolves! First win on the board, and 8 weeks sooner than last year. They’ve been consistently steady this year and you’d be surprised how often that results in wins. The Wolves now have real leadership amongst their ranks and, as I mentioned last week, when guys like Hopper (90) come up and help them out, it spells another win for Canada. That was actually Hopper’s second WXV Rising Star nomination too, so... the more you know, I guess. But the Royals! 2 wins a row for the first time since... hmm, your 3-win streak from Rounds 2-4 last year. Is a repeat on the cards for the Royals? Well, like the Wolves, the Royals have some real leaders that can cause damage and when guys like Saad & Membrey step up and help, they will notch up some wins! Although I’m sure Gray & Fantasia won’t score 74 between them often, I like the Wolves here with HGA.

[iZander]

(I’ll stop bringing it up when I lose count Vinzander :P)

Will be atleast two this weekend i promise

and a rising star nominee for Perryman or Berry ;)

[Nige]

...and the wait for Purps to tip us continues!

[Torpedo10]

...and the wait for Purps to tip us continues!

[Purple 77]

...and the wait for Purps to tip us continues!

I don't need to be careful, I have a gun!

Lol, quality gif as always Nige

[JBs-Hawks]

Hey Purps can we get a write up for the Seoul vs Christchurch game  :P

[RaisyDaisy]

Another week, another match with an OOP ruck and HGA against  :'(

Dublin will smash us lol

[upthemaidens]

Consistency was the key improvement we wanted this season, and with scores of 153, 145, 146  the early signs are looking good.
   Finally get a Home game and really need a win, hopefully the boys can bring it to inflict an Easter massacre on Beijing.

[Purple 77]

Hey Purps can we get a write up for the Seoul vs Christchurch game  :P

Oh, whoops! I'll add one in tomorrow :P

[Toga]

Yeah word is Harry Taylor might've had his visa cancelled and so is sitting in an airport lockup somewhere in China and will stay that way for a while ::)

[Toga]

BEIJING THUNDER
D: S.Wellingham, S.Mayes, J.Hunt, J.Thurlow
M: D.Zorko (CC), O.Wines, C.Ward, L.Neale
R: B.Grundy (CC)
F: J.Caddy, C.Petracca, B.Hill, D.Butler
IC: B.Ellis, J.Polec

Emg: K.Lambert (f), J.Aish (m), T.Williamson (d/m)

OUT: H.Taylor (showerhouse)
IN: J.Hunt

[meow meow]

No Wells, Griffen, McVeigh or Waite has us looking quite young this week. Too young vs Olivefield.

B: Harris Andrews, Nathan Wilson, Leigh Montagna, Bob
C: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Brayden Fiorini, Connor Blakely, Bryce Gibbs (vc)
R: Aaron Sandilands (c)
F: Jack Steele, Alex Neal-Bullen, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Shaun Higgins
I: Sam Mitchell, Chris Masten

E: Thomas Boyd, Jake Lever, Nathan Vardy

[GoLions]

Kate Upton Cobras

DEF: Jasper Pittard, Callum Mills, Luke McDonald, Griffin Logue
MID: Jpsh P Kennedy (C), Dion Prestia, Lachie Hunter, Kieran Jack
RUCK: Toby Nankervis
FWD: Touk Miller (VC), Blake Acres, Dean Kent, Peter Wright
UTIL: Mark Blicavs, Timothy Broomhead

EMG: Lachie Hansen, Kayne Turner, Ben Ainsworth

Pittard please play this week :(

[Purple 77]

Hey Purps can we get a write up for the Seoul vs Christchurch game  :P

Oh, whoops! I'll add one in tomorrow :P

Has now been added :)

[Holz]

Another week, another match with an OOP ruck and HGA against  :'(

Dublin will smash us lol

Kurt is a decent shot of playing i think.

I reckon im a little vulnerable at the moment im having major issues in the backline and rucks and im actually not going great in the forward line, Hawkins the only consistent guy.

im just lucky my 5 mids are on absolute fire with Sloane Martin Jones in career best form at the moment. Hill and Treloar been playing about to their level, maybe abit under for Treloar.